Content about Easter

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens posted April sales of $6 billion, an increase of 3.8% as compared to the same month in fiscal 2012. 

Total front-end sales decreased 2.9%, while comparable store front-end sales decreased 4.3%. Customer traffic in comparable stores decreased 5.9% while basket size increased 1.6%.

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid's same-store sales decreased 4% in April compared with April 2012 due to an earlier Easter and introductions of new generic drugs, the retail pharmacy chain said.

The numbers released Thursday included a 3.5% decrease in sales on the front end and a 4% decrease in pharmacy sales, but the pharmacy figure included a 4.5% negative effect due to new generics. Same-store prescription count decreased by 0.2%.

Total sales for the month were $1.9 billion, a 4.6% decrease over April 2012's $2 billion.

LAKELAND, Fla. — Publix posted first quarter sales of $7.5 billion, representing a 6.1% increase. The Easter holiday in the first quarter of 2013, which was in the second quarter of 2012, increased sales by approximately 1.3%, the grocer noted. 
 
Comparable-store sales for the first quarter of 2013 increased 3.9%.
 

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The timing of the New Year and Easter holidays negatively affected Office Depot’s first quarter sales which declined 5% to $2.7 billion and led to a $17 million loss compared to a profit of $41 million in the first quarter of 2012. 
 

HERSHEY, Pa. — The Hershey reported a net sales increase of nearly 6%, driven by core brand volume. Consolidated net sales were $1.8 billion for the first quarter ended March 31, compared with $1.7 billion for the same period last year. 
 
Reported net income for the first quarter of 2013 was $242 million compared with $199 million for the same period last year.
 

NEW YORK — L.Brands, parent of Victoria's Secret, reported better-than-expected 3% sales in same-store sales for March. Zumiez Inc. and Buckle Inc. also both reported better-than-expected numbers.

But other retailers were hampered by a colder-than-normal March, which caused many shoppers to put off buying warmer-weather clothing, and an early Easter. At The TJX Companies, same-store sales fell 2% in March, a bigger drop than was expected.

Total U.S. Shopper Traffic in Retail Stores and Malls for March 2013

Shopper activity increased last month with the Easter holiday and students on spring break. March retail foot traffic increased 25.8% compared with February 2013, continuing positive month-over-month retail traffic trends. Foot traffic for March 2013 increased 1.5% compared with the same month in 2012. 

CAMP HILL, Pa. — Rite Aid has expanded its Easter and spring supplies at its stores in anticipation of the holiday and season, the retail pharmacy chain said Monday.

The 4,623-store chain said items at its stores included chocolate bunnies, marshmallow Peeps, SweeTarts, Ducks & Bunnies, Cadbury Eggs and other candy brands, as well as baskets and other accessories.

In addition, the company is selling such gardening supplies as planters, figurines, bird feeders, wind chimes and outdoor fountains and lighting, including solar-powered devices.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation reported that the average person celebrating Easter this year will spend about $145.13 on candy, décor, apparel and food – which is flat with last year’s $145.28.

NRF, through its Easter Spending Survey conducted by BIGinsight, estimated that total spending will reach an estimated $17.2 billion this year.

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. — Mars Chocolate already may have unveiled its lineup of new treats for Halloween, Valentine's Day, as well as the winter holiday season, but the company announced new items that will be added to its Easter 2013 lineup.

The new Easter 2013 lineup includes:

•  Snickers Peanut Butter Squared minis;

 

•  Dove Silky Smooth white chocolate eggs;

 

•  Twix minis filled eggs;

WASHINGTON — A Tuesday report by the Commerce Department showed that U.S. retail sales during the month of April edged up 0.1%, following a 0.7% gain in March and marking the smallest rise of the year so far. The gain was in line with projections.

Excluding auto sales, retail sales climbed 0.1% in April.

There was an increase in the number of circulars retailers released in the month of April, while page counts increased only slightly.